Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Four Steps to Confident Coaching by David Wood



Four Steps to Confident Coaching
Body of Article
Have you ever felt unsure of yourself as a coach? Scared that you might not have an answer for someone? Worried youll give the wrong advice? Concerned theyll think youre a fraud?
The biggest difference I seem to make with the new coaches I mentor is in the area of confidence. Sure I help them with designing their unique coaching session, marketing and business set up. But their main block is often lack of confidence.
What if you haveRIGHT NOWmuch more to offer a client than you think? What if you could make a big difference to someones life right now before you get your qualification? What if you could go out and get ten new clients after reading the information in this article?!
In the CoachStart Manual I detail seven insights which will help you obtain confidenceright now. Id like to give you the first four of these insights here in this article.
Here are some valuable things you can offer to a clientRIGHT NOW:
1. The way you listen
Most people listen in the waiting for my turn to speak mode. Or noticing if this is boring or entertaining.
But the coach listens with undivided attention. A coach listens from Is this moving forward? Does this sound like what they really want? Are there any actionable steps to take? Simply by both of you coming together to look for ways the client can progress, they are getting something they dont usually get from conversation.
2. Being there each week
Its amazing how much a person will get done just knowing there is someone to hold them accountable. They know next week you are going to ask them, Did you do it? Just by being there you are helping them discover what is important in their life. (Its like having a running partner. Without the partner there you may not run as far or even get out of bed. With a partner your attention is on running, and you run further, faster and with more fun!)
3. A Sounding Board
Being able to talk about their issues lends clarity. Just discussing what has been clanging around their heads all week is valuable. Have you ever been trying to solve a problem and getting nowhere until you had a chance to talk about it with someone? You are giving your clients a chance to do that every week.
4. A Second Head
You may be able to see what they are doing in a new light. You may have a different perspective allowing you to see their blind spots. Some things may be obvious to you, but dont even occur to them. You might have different ideas they wouldnt have had.
* * *
And these are just a few things you bring to the tablebefore you even have any coach specific training. You can make a difference to people around you, you can put on the hat of a coach if it calls to you, right now.
If you would like the full list of what a new coach brings to the table, or if you would like to see the other chapters included in The CoachStart Manual
By David Wood and Geoff Grist
I encourage you to share, replicate or forward this article as long as the authors links and copyright information are kept intact.
Davids Bio

David Wood is a Certified Life Coach. He helps coaches, consultants, speakers and trainers to build their businesses via his popular eBook http://10SuperCoaches.com and his audio eBook at http://www.FirstFiftyClients.com. Get his new Free Download '50 Power Questions' and popular monthly eZine for clients at coaches (now over 15,000 subscribers) at: http://www.solutionbox.com/freedownload.htm

Link to website
Web site: www.life-coaching-resource.com

Copyright information
Copyright 2004 SolutionBox and Life Coaching Resource.com


About the Author
David Wood is a Certified Life Coach. He helps coaches, consultants, speakers and trainers to build their businesses via his popular ebook at http://10SuperCoaches.com and his audio ebook at http://www.FirstFiftyClients.com. Get his new Free Download 50 Power Questions and popular monthly ezine for clients and coaches (now over 15,000 subscribers) at: http://www.solutionbox.com/freedownload.htm